JANUARY 6TH, 1949 FLIGHT
A FEROCIOUS BREED
T -
A tight formation of Blackburn Firebrand single-seat strike aircraft of Naval Aviation epitomizes the excellent control, demanded of all
aircraft in this class. Unlike the later Blackburn S. 28j43, the present-day Firebrand was developed from a war-time fighter.
Hitting Power and "Toughness" Characterize the Modern Line
of Single-Seat Strike Aircraft
FIREBRAND, Mauler, Skyraider—the very namescommand a healthy respect for the single-seaterstrike or " attack " aircraft now serving the Navies
of Britain and the U.S.A. But the potency of these
machines, and others of their category, is better
expressed in terms of high-explosive and steel than in
graphic nomenclature. Though remarkably compact,
they are among the world's heaviest, most powerful and
most versatile single-seaters, and are capable of deliver-
ing a devastating punch in the form of bombs, torpedoes,,
rocket projectiles or depth charges.
Before examining the features and operational
characteristics of this aggressive brotherhood it is well
to consider the reasons underlying the reversion to the
single-seater layout. Use of the word "reversion" in
this connection may well cause surprise, for it is not
generally remembered that some of the earliest British
torpedoplanes—truly the first of the Naval " strike ''
machines—carried only the pilot in addition
to their war load. Of these, the Short Shirl
and Blackburn Dart were two of the most
successful. In the early days, however, the
considerations governing crew provision
(reduction of weight, to allow a full-size
torpedo and a worth-while quantity of fuel
to be carried) were very different from those
pertaining in recent times. As design tech-
nique developed, torpedo bombers sub-
sequent to the Dart were generally two-
seaters (e.g., Ripon and Baffin) and the
The extent of the "finger "-type dive brakes and
the stowage of the fuselage bomb are apparent in
this stern view of the Martin Mauler. >,
c 5
tendency was to increase fuel, navigational aids, etc.,
instead of augmenting the offensive load. It is true, in
fact, to say that the actual war load (bombs or torpedo)
was little improved for nearly 20 years, though the
means of delivering it effectively were made progres-
sively surer.
In the years preceding the war a vogue for three-
seater "T.S.R." (torpedo-spotter-reconnaissance)
machines had established itself, but, though economical
and extremely versatile, this class, by reason of its bulk
and low performance, proved unduly vulnerable to
fighter and anti-aircraft opposition. The legendary
Swordfish, or "Stringbag," showed, nevertheless, that
under cover of darkness, or with adequate support, it
could cause as much, or more, damage to enemy shipping
and installations than vastly more expensive and
elaborate types. A machine reproducing the esssential
characteristics of the Swordfish (heavy load for low